Windows
Compatible applications
Quick Facts
Basic information about this file format
Extension
.RDS
File Type
R Data Serialization
Category
Data
Best first step
Use compatible software
Quick Summary
A practical overview of the .rds file format
The RDS file format is a proprietary binary format used by the R programming language to store a single R object. Unlike other formats that might save an entire workspace or a collection of data frames, an RDS file is designed to serialize one specific object, such as a vector, a list, a data frame…
File extension
.RDS
File type
R Data Serialization
Category
Data
Recommended action
Open with a trusted compatible app
How to open a .rds file
Start with a trusted app that supports this format
- Check the file extension carefully and confirm that the file name really ends with .rds.
- Use software that supports this file type. If one app does not work, try another compatible program for the same platform.
- Update the application if the file was created by a newer version of the software.
- Scan files from unknown sources before opening them, especially documents, archives, scripts, installers, and executable files.
What is a .rds file?
File extension details and usage information
The RDS file format is a proprietary binary format used by the R programming language to store a single R object. Unlike other formats that might save an entire workspace or a collection of data frames, an RDS file is designed to serialize one specific object, such as a vector, a list, a data frame, or a complex model output. Because it is a binary format, it is significantly more efficient in terms of storage space and read/write speed compared to text-based formats like CSV or JSON. When an object is saved as an RDS file, R preserves the exact structure, attributes, and data types of the object, ensuring that when it is loaded back into an R session, it remains identical to its original state. This makes RDS an ideal format for caching intermediate results in data analysis pipelines, sharing data between R users, or saving trained machine learning models for later deployment. It is widely used in data science workflows to maintain data integrity and performance.
Software Compatibility
Programs that may open or work with .rds files
macOS
Compatible applications
Linux
Compatible applications
Mobile
Mobile applications
Can .rds files be converted?
Options for saving or exporting this file to another format
In many cases, a .rds file can be converted by opening it in compatible software and using an option such as Save As, Export, or Convert. The available output formats depend on the file type and the application used.
- Use the original software that created the file when possible.
- Check whether the application supports exporting to common formats.
- Be careful with online converters when working with private, business, or sensitive files.
- If conversion fails, the file may be corrupted, incomplete, encrypted, or not actually a .rds file.
Why can't I open a .rds file?
Common reasons this file type may not open correctly
Wrong software
The file may require a specific program that supports the .rds format.
Incorrect extension
The file extension may have been renamed manually, even though the actual file format is different.
Corrupted file
The file may be incomplete, damaged during download, or transferred incorrectly.
Outdated app
Your software may need to be updated before it can open newer versions of this file format.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about .rds files
To open a .rds file, use software that supports this file format.
- R
- RStudio
- R-Instat
Open the file in compatible software and look for options such as Save As, Export, or Convert. If no export option is available, the file may require a specialized converter or the original application that created it.
- Verify that the file extension is correct.
- Install or update compatible software.
- Try another application that supports this format.
- Check whether the file is corrupted, incomplete, or encrypted.
A file extension alone does not guarantee whether a file is safe or unsafe. Only open files from trusted sources, scan unknown files before opening them, and be especially careful with executable, script, archive, and document files.
File safety tips
Use caution with unknown files
Only open files from trusted sources. Before opening a .rds file, scan it with antivirus software, verify that the file extension is expected, and avoid running unknown executable, installer, macro-enabled document, or script files.